Blockchain is being praised as a technological innovation which allows to revolutionise how society trades and interacts. In this article we critically analyse whether a blockchain is indeed
the appropriate technical solution for a particular application scenario

Blockchain is being praised as a technological innovation which allows to revolutionize how society trades and interacts. This rep- utation is in particular attributable to its properties of allowing mutually mistrusting entities to exchange financial value and interact without rely- ing on a trusted third party. A blockchain moreover provides an integrity protected data storage and allows to provide process transparency.
In this article we critically analyze whether a blockchain is indeed the appropriate technical solution for a particular application scenario. We differentiate between permissionless (e.g., Bitcoin/Ethereum) and permissioned (e.g. Hyperledger/Corda) blockchains and contrast their properties to those of a centrally managed database. We provide a structured methodology to determine the appropriate technical solution to solve a particular application problem. Given our methodology, we an- alyze in depth three use cases — Supply Chain Management, Interbank and International Payments, and Decentralized Autonomous Organiza- tions and conclude the article with an outlook for further opportunities

In this article we critically analyze whether a blockchain is indeed the appropriate technical solution for a particular application scenario. We differentiate between permissionless (e.g., Bitcoin/Ethereum) and permissioned (e.g. Hyperledger/Corda) blockchains and contrast their properties to those of a centrally managed database...